AHTD January 2026 Newsletter

January 2026

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40 Years Strong - Carrying Forward the Legacy

This January, the newsletter gives me one last moment to reflect on the past 40 years of members being better with AHTD, all while we gear up for the year ahead. And there is much to look forward to this year: the Board of Directors is focused on elevating the member experience, hiring Dana D’Onofrio to our new position as Membership Manager where her sole focus is on understanding member needs throughout the full membership journey.

Next, AHTD members hungry for data on how to run their businesses better can watch for the launch of our new Finance Roundtable, the first of which will focus on helping our distributors replace assumptions with insight and turn financial data into practical tools, using AHTD's Financial Benchmarking Survey and Report. Oh! And yes, as always, we also have the opportunity to meet up at our two fabulous Spring and Fall Meeting locations: first in Tennessee and then in California this fall.

Whether I’m hearing the Women in Automation discussing work and life challenges on a Teams call, watching industrial marketers wrestle with mutual issues on a Marketing Roundtable session, or at an in-person meeting scanning the expo floor at Product Showcase, I imagine I’m having the very same feeling talked about by AHTD’s founding father, Bob Dietz: pride in “the essential contribution” our association has to the automation industry and pride in our AHTD. With your decades of doing high tech better together, I look forward to seeing what milestones our members continue marking, together.

Leigha Schatzman

Executive Director

Connecting People - Strengthening Businesses

Get ready to lock in your spot for #BetterWithAHTD Spring Meeting 2026 at the stunning Omni Nashville Hotel! We’re turning up the volume with an incredible speaker lineup covering industry trends, technology, leadership, motivation, personal growth, and the economy. Every session is crafted to hit the right notes-delivering the education, inspiration, and networking you won’t want to miss!

AHTD’s Strategic Business Partners deliver smart, modern solutions tailored for industrial automation distributors and manufacturers, including logistics and supply‑chain management, e‑commerce and digital content services, business and operational tools, HR and professional development support, and more. Explore how our SBPs ' products and services can help assist you in doing high tech better!

Last week, AHTD’s Women in Automation kicked off 2026 with an energizing virtual meet‑up, a new member spotlight, and exciting plans for even more networking, growth, and mentorship throughout the upcoming year. If you are a woman at an AHTD member company looking to connect, we’d love to have you join us. Check out the details, and be sure to connect with us in the WIA LinkedIn Group.

Meet a Future Leaders Alum

We’re excited to highlight Silas Neale, Area Sales Manager at Universal Robotics USA, in our Future Leaders Spotlight. A recent graduate of AHTD's Future Leaders Program, Silas found his experience in the program to be a meaningful milestone in his leadership journey, one that sharpened his communication skills and deepened his understanding of how to bring out the best in the people around him. The program challenged him to look inward, refine his approach, and recognize strengths he hadn’t fully acknowledged before. Learn more about Silas and his FLP experience here.

What We Heard at Fall Meeting 25: Trust as the Backbone of the Channel

Some of the most valuable moments at Fall Meeting did not show up on a slide deck. Across two candid panel discussions, manufacturers and distributors spoke openly about what it takes to build and maintain trust, stay aligned on strategy and execution, and deliver the best possible outcomes for end users. If you care about the future of the manufacturer-distributor model, this series is worth your time.

In the first article, we share what participants told us about building trust, repairing it when it breaks, and why it remains the backbone of our channel. Trust is often discussed in our industry, and at the Fall Meeting, we heard what it actually looks like under pressure. Read the full article, Trust as the Backbone of the Channel, on the AHTD website.

ITR January Report - Slow, Steady Growth

Supported by higher business investment and expanding industrial capacity, industrial and manufacturing activity should grow slowly in 2026, despite high interest rates being a hindrance. Manufacturing output and orders are up, but much of that growth is simply due to price increases. Defense manufacturing and domestically focused production are looking up, while energy ‑ and construction‑related manufacturing remain tepid.

Read the full report here.

What's Up, Members?

As a member of AHTD, you’re tapped into a dynamic community of automation professionals. Check out some of these insights from our membership base.

NOARK opens a new North American Head Office in Dallas, Texas.
NOSHOK, Inc. announces Brandon Guse, Vice President - Business Development.
SMAC shares the future of ejection.
Wachendorff Automation presents compact and robust draw wire solutions for demanding industrial applications.
Weidmuller USA develops innovative online DIN Rail Configurator.
WireCrafters appoints Richard Horn as new president.

Have any company events or updates to share with fellow AHTD members in our "What's Up?" sections? Please send newsletter submissions to Heidi Wadzinski by the 2nd Friday of the month. Find guidelines and past newsletters here.

What's Up, Strategic Business Partners?

We're grateful for our Strategic Business Partners. These companies offer strategic products or services in the industrial automation distribution industry.

Interlynx Systems Sales Rep Scorecard turns lead data Into sales growth.

MRA helps you retain and develop your workforce - AHTD members save 30%

Reshape outlines how distributors are reducing cycle time without adding headcount.

Marketing Touchpoints: How Every Role Shapes Your Company’s Reputation

How did people experience your brand this week? From HR to service calls to LinkedIn activity, every touchpoint tells a story. At Fall Meeting 2025, AHTD's Marketing Director Mara Dickson shared how each team member shapes company perception - and how to make those impressions count. Catch the full Marketing Minute here!

Show Your AHTD Pride!

Huge thanks to all the members proudly showcasing the AHTD logo on their websites—we love seeing it! Want to join them and show your support for the association that assists you in doing high tech better?

Add the AHTD logo to your website, email signature, or social media today!

AHTD Benefits - Far Beyond Semiannual Meetings

AHTD membership provides business‑building resources, educational opportunities, and valuable networking that extend far beyond our semiannual meetings. Between meetings, members gain access to ongoing training, industry insights, and tools designed to strengthen skills, foster partnerships, and support success in the high‑tech distribution industry. Take advantage today!